She got her wish as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at about 7 p.m. arrived via a Bay City Fire Department truck for the annual event, which marks the lighting of the community’s holiday tree in the riverside park.

About 250 people — half of them pre-teens — braved the excessively cold temperatures for a chance to meet the man some call “Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas.”

Dawn Cooper, a manager at Washington Ave.’s McDonald’s restaurant, said the Friday, Nov. 23, gathering marked her 15th year volunteering for the event.

“My favorite part of this is the kids,” said Cooper, a McDonald’s manager for 15 years. “When their faces light up, and Santa arrives, it’s all worth it.”

Before Santa’s fire truck made its way down the Wenonah Park riverside walkway, parents struggled to find a warm spot — some faced away from the park stage to avoid the biting gusts — while many children looked skyward, searching for reindeer and a jolly, bearded man in tow.

Keller, daughter of Christa Kasper, planned to follow Santa to the Delta College Planetarium across the street — there, he met with children following the tree lighting — and ask for “mermaid dollies and a white iPhone.”

Seven-year-old Max Hammis, son of Joe and Kelly Hammis of Saginaw, said he was excited to see Santa because “Christmas is my favorite holiday.”

When pressed why, the St. Stephen’s School student said, “Because it’s Jesus’ birthday.

“And I get presents.”

Hammis said he hopes Santa brings him an “iPod, so I can play video games whenever I want.”

The Wenonah Park event comes the day before the opening of the Nate and Mary Ida Doan Santa House, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

Officials say Claus "will arrive via a special ‘Santa Train’ — a specially equipped and lighted train — which will deliver Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Santa House.

The facility is located at the south end of Veteran’s Memorial Park on the west side of the Saginaw River.

Claus will remain at the "Santa House" daily until Dec. 22. Hours are Monday to Friday, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.